Ginkgo Biloba

If you happen to be someone with a busy lifestyle, and your work requires you to digest a big volume of information, then those intense workout sessions at the gym may even make things worse at times. Probably may lead to a brain burnout!

Ginkgo biloba may be the cure for that, as its active ingredients may significantly boost attention and awareness.

What is Ginkgo Biloba?

Ginkgo Biloba is a tree, reaching up to 30 meters in height, which was considered extinct, until it was re-discovered in two Chinese provinces. That’s why China is considered the natural habitat of the endangered species called Ginkgo Biloba.

The main active ingredients are called ginkgolides and bilobalides and are contained in the leaves of the tree.

What are the benefits of Ginkgo Biloba?

Proven benefits

Studies have shown that bilobalides and ginkgolides have a nootropic effect on the human body, i.e., act as memory and concentration enhancers. This is therefore useful for heavy athletes who complain of dizziness and low ability to concentrate after training.

Suggestions that have not yet been scientifically proven

It is believed that the flavone glycosides contained in Ginkgo Biloba act as vasodilators. Thus, they increase the circulation of blood in most organs, muscles and, above all, in peripheral blood vessels. This is of utmost importance for the use of Ginkgo Biloba in the last generation nitrogen boosters. People who use this class of supplements believe that the vasodilating effect supports tissue nutrition.

There are studies showing that Ginkgo Biloba regulates oxidative stress and has the effect of an antioxidant struggling with free radicals in the body.

There are suggestions that Ginkgo Biloba has a positive effect in the fight against some of the factors contributing to narrowing and blockage of blood vessels (atherosclerosis)

Side effects of Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba extracts are thought to cause some side effects such as: increased risk of bleeding, digestive discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and anxiety. If you experience any of the side effects, you should stop taking it and consult your doctor.

Note- Extracts, containing bilobalides and ginkgolides should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women, before consultation with a doctor.

What are the recommended dosages?

The Ginkgo biloba extracts contain a different concentration of ginkgolide and bilobalide active substances. Doses vary between 40 mg. up to 240 mg. per day divided into two or three intakes. It is best to follow the label of the product in which the leaf extract is incorporated due to differences in the concentration of active phytochemicals as well as the different recommended dosages according to the desired effect. The standardized extract of Ginkgo Biloba contains 24% flavone glycosides.

Which supplements contain Ginkgo Biloba?

Most often Ginkgo Biloba is sold as a separate, isolated extract. In other cases, you may encounter it as an ingredient in energy drinks, antioxidants and nitrogen boosters. In most energy drinks, however, the Ginkgo biloba extract content is insignificant, having no actual effect.